Structured space for the practice of fitness training and a method of fitness training practice management

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a structured space for the practice of fitness training and a method of fitness training practice management including a plurality of successive modules, at least one of the modules having at least two exercise positions as well as a time counting means common to all the modules. The count includes a plurality of periods of equal duration, each period being subdivided in (n) phases, these phases including a plurality (n−1) of exercise performance phases and one phase of recovery and instruction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the field of physical education,more particularly to a spatial arrangement of resources and a methodassociated therewith, for the purpose of achieving a better performancein the exercises, as well as to render more interesting and pleasant thepractice of fitness training exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

Fitness centers are already quite well known, and are based on theprovision of a set of exercise equipment units in a gym lounge. Ingeneral, the user will access the apparatuses in random order, or in aspecific order prescribed by an instructor, or yet in an order dictatedby the availability of such equipment. A first disadvantage of thissituation consists in an increase in the time required to complete anexercise program, since the sequence of exercise series is to a certainpoint dependent on the cited availability. One other hindrance residesin the fact that the user is not always provided a feedback on his orher performance, thereby entailing an incorrect performance of someexercises, which may cause the same to become less efficient and evenharmful.

The purpose of rendering a fitness training program more efficient andproductive has constituted the object of various proposals, some ofwhich embodied in the form of patent documents, such as the followingones:

In document No. US 2006/0046898—System and Method for Automating andControlling a Waiting List—there is described a system in which themachines are equipped with sensors to indicate their availability (orunavailability), as well as control elements. A user interface allowsthe user to register with a waiting list that is processed by acomputer, which latter communicates with the said sensors in order toalert the user and to authorize the use of the machine in accordancewith the said list.

In document No. WO 2008/049151—Method and Apparatus for ProvidingPersonalised Audio-Visual Instruction—there is described an arrangementthat assists a user to emulate preferred positions or movements duringthe performance of a physical activity. The arrangement is based onmotion sensors (MEMS sensors) worn by the user at different positions ofthe body (for example, the feet, the hands), such sensors being providedto communicate with a computer, the latter comparing the informationcaptured by the sensors with data that is stored in a memory andcorresponds to the correct performance of the movements. The system maycomprise a display screen whereon are displayed, in synthetic form andside-by-side, the movements of the user and the correct movements. Onedisadvantage of that system is the need to attach the said sensors. Oneother disadvantage resides in the fact that it is not able to considerthe sequence of performance of a series of exercises and the release ofthe corresponding machines for such use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In light of what has been set forth, one object of the present inventionconsists in the optimization of use of the available space as well as ofthe flow of exercisers.

One other object is to allow the personalization of the levels ofdifficulty by means of software and variations in the apparatuses.

One other object is to provide feedback to the exerciser to enable thesame to correct his or her manner of performing the exercises.

One further object consists in avoiding the need of fixed time pointsfor the beginning of the exercises, allowing the exerciser to start hisor her exercises at any given time.

Another object is to render the exercise both entertaining and varied,as the arrangement may be periodically changed without difficulty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects are achieved by the invention by structuringthe area intended for performance of the exercises into a plurality ofsuccessive modules forming a system, each module comprising at least twoexercise positions. A module will be defined as a given region, withstandardized dimensions, within the available space, comprising a set ofa minimum of two exercise positions and the indication of order (1, 2, 3. . . ) or position within the set.

According to one other characteristic of the invention, the said modulesare arranged to form a closed circuit.

According to one other characteristic of the invention, the systemmodules are successively occupied by each exerciser, who performs theexercises associated with each module for a predetermined period oftime, before proceeding to the subsequent module.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said periodsof time are identical for all the modules.

According to another characteristic of the invention each period of timeis divided into a plurality of phases, i.e., n phases.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said means forcommunicating information comprise a time counter and means forinteraction with the said exerciser.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said timecounter synchronizes the activities of the system, by counting the saidperiods of time and/or phases, such counting being common to allmodules.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said counterindicates the interval of time lapsed within a period or a phase.

According to another characteristic of the invention the said counterindicates the time interval remaining until conclusion of the period orphase.

According to another characteristic of the invention the saidindications are visual or audible or both.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said modulesare grouped to form two sets.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said modulesare grouped together forming a single set.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said sets areprovided with means for communicating information between the exercisersand the system.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the saidinformation communication means comprise means for interaction.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the saidinteraction means comprise at least one video terminal.

According to another characteristic of the invention the modules arearranged in groups, each group being provided with said at least oneterminal for the exerciser to interact with the system.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said terminalcomprises data or command input means, for example, a touch-screen typeinput means.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said terminalis of an interactive type.

According to another characteristic of the invention, each modulecomprises a standardized number of exercise positions. Advantageously,such number is two to three positions. Some positions may includevariations in the level of difficulty with an increase or decrease ofdevices, in addition to variation thereof (weights, different rubberpieces, pedestals, etc. . . . ).

According to another characteristic, an exercise apparatus occupies eachposition.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the systemcomprises, in addition to the space structured in modules, video camerasturned towards the said positions, to record the performance of theexercises by the exercisers.

According to another characteristic, the system is overseen by at leastone supervising party who monitors the usage of the various apparatusesand the occupation of the various positions and modules.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the said at leastone supervisor inputs into the system the information relative to thesaid occupation.

According to another characteristic, the system comprises a computer forcentral control, associated to a mass memory means and a fixed terminalto be used by the said supervisor.

According to another characteristic, all information acquired by thevideo cameras, touch-screen terminals and other devices and apparatusesis channeled to the said central control computer.

According to another characteristic, the input of the said informationis made by the supervisor by way of a portable terminal that is providedfor communication with the central control computer.

According to another characteristic, the option of sharing a module witha partner renders the exercises more entertaining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The remaining characteristics and advantages of the invention will bebetter understood by means of the description of a preferred embodimentthereof, given for exemplary rather than limitative purposes, and of thefigures that refer thereto, wherein:

FIG. 1-a is a plan view of a structured space comprising eight modulesdivided to form two groups.

FIG. 1-b is a plan view of a structured space in which the modulesintegrate a single group.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the structured space,exemplifying the positioning of the apparatuses and part of the devicesthat provide interaction between the system and the exerciser.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram exemplifying a possible structure of the datacommunication links, in accordance with the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One of the objectives of the present invention is to maximize theflexibility of the time schedule for beginning a series of exercises,thereby eliminating the stress inherent to session schedules withpredefined starting times. In a preferred form of utilization, theinterval of time required for the exerciser to go through all themodules is previously established. Such interval may depend on the timetaken at each module. For example, if the exerciser spends equal periodsof 5 minutes and 15 seconds at each module, the total duration of thecycle will be 42 minutes. In turn, the period spent at the module may bedivided into n phases. For example, there may exist n=7 phases of 45seconds each, whereof six are change and exercise (CE) phases designatedas CE1, CE2, CE3, CE4, CE5 and CE6, preceded by a phase RI of recoveryand instruction. This latter phase has three main purposes:

-   -   enabling the exerciser to enter the circuit;    -   providing a time for recovery and/or instruction on the exercise        cycles of the new module, such instruction being based on the        display of the exercises to be performed on the video terminal        of the module;    -   enabling the exerciser to leave the circuit, whereupon the        information is sent to a central control means of the system.

In turn, the CE phases also have three main purposes:

-   -   providing an interval for change from one position to another        within the module;    -   monitoring the maximum exercising time within the position;    -   feeding back the exercise movie captured by the video camera (in        the last position), where such movie may be stored in the memory        of the central control means for later use or may be played back        by the video terminal of the module. A “movie” or “film” is to        be understood as constituting a sequence of images captured        during a given period of time, as occurs in a TV clip, for        example.

In FIG. 1-a there is shown an embodiment of the invention in which thestructured space comprises eight modules 11 with identical dimensions,distributed in two groups 12, 13 of four modules each. In thatdistribution, each group is provided with a column or “totem pole” 14,15, which may be located at the point of convergence of the fourvertices or in another convenient position. The separation between thosegroups is not mandatory, and the eight modules may be grouped togetherwithout any spacing between the same.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modules form a closedcircuit, comprising a sequence 1-2-3 . . . -8 and returning to 1-2-3- .. . . The fact of constituting a closed circuit enables the ingress ofthe exerciser at any module of the circuit, and his or her gradualprogress through the sequence of modules until completing the circuit.However, even in the case that the circuit is not closed, it is notmandatory that the exerciser passes through all the modules, as he orshe may leave the circuit after having been through only a part of thesame, for example due to limited time availability.

In FIG. 1-b there is illustrated an embodiment in which all the modulesform a single group, where the arrows in solid lines indicate the entryand exit points of an exerciser who passes through the entire circuit.The dashed lines exemplify entry and exit points of an exerciser whopasses through only a part of the circuit, to with, from module 3 tomodule 6.

Within each module there are two exercise positions: positions a and bin module 1; positions c and d in module 2, and so forth.

The dimensions of the modules are chosen to allow the simultaneousutilization thereof by two exercisers, such as, for example, 2 m×3 m.The said exercisers will be able to alternate their positions in thevarious phases comprised in the period of permanence within the module.Considering, for example, module 1 occupied by two exercisers designatedas exerciser I and exerciser II, exerciser I will exercise following thesequence a-b-a-b-a-b, and all the while exerciser II will perform thesequence b-a-b-a-b-a. The exercises in positions a and b may be set tostimulate different or complementary groups of muscles, for example,position a may be taken by an extension chair machine (leg extension)and position b may be taken by a flexing chair machine (leg curl),however without such complementary characteristic being mandatory. Insome cases, a position might not include the presence of any apparatus,due to the type of exercise to be performed thereat, such as occurs inan arm flexing or push-up exercise that is performed on the floor.

However, alternating between positions in the various phases might notbe mandatory, and the exerciser will be able to repeat the same positiontwice or more in subsequent phases. Thus, for example, exerciser I mightfollow the sequence a-a-a-b-b-b and exerciser II might follow thesequence b-b-b-a-a-a.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the modules may be sizedto comprehend three positions a, b, c and the two exercisers may performthe sequences a-b-c-a-b-c, for example. Furthermore, such modules may beused by three exercisers who are exercising simultaneously, and in suchcircumstances the individual dimensions of the modules may be larger,such as, for example, 2 m×4 m, in order to better accommodate thepositions a, b and c. In that case, exerciser I may perform theexercises following the sequence a-b-c-a-b-c, exerciser II follows thesequence b-c-a-b-c-a and exerciser III follows the sequence c-a-b-c-a-b,or else, by repeating each position, exerciser I follows the sequencea-a-b-b-c-c, exerciser II follows the sequence b-b-c-c-a-a and exerciserIII follows the sequence c-c-a-a-b-b.

According to what is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the center of eachgroup of modules 12 or 13 there is provided a column or totem pole 14,15 that serves as a support for devices that contribute to theinteraction with the exercisers such as, for example, terminals providedwith touch-screen type display means 16, 16′. Such terminals may be usedto indicate to the exerciser the parameters adopted for the exercises,such as the number of repetitions, weights used, etc. To such end, onentering the circuit, the exerciser will be due to identify himself orherself at the terminal 16, 16′ of the entry module by means of apassword, a name or an alias. Other forms of identification may includecards or ID tags with bar codes, a photograph, digital data, RFID, voicerecognition, etc. The data relative to each exerciser is stored in acentral memory means and will be available for the next time that theexerciser returns to exercise, and may be displayed at the terminal,during the RI phase.

The system further comprises, at least, a time counting device, for thebenefit of the exercisers, which indicates the time elapsed since thebeginning of each phase and the time remaining until conclusion of eachphase, as well as the time elapsed and the time remaining relatively tothe period. Furthermore, the said device may indicate the time elapsedsince the beginning of the period by means of an indication of the phasenumber. The indications may be audible or visual, or both, and in thiscase there may be used color areas (bar charts, pie charts, etc.) withshapes, sizes or colors that change gradually with the passage of time.The system may use an indicator for each group of modules (in the casethat two groups exist, such as in FIG. 1), mounted on the respectivetotem pole, or a general indicator for the entire arrangement. The timecounter may also be mounted on a wall or any other easily visiblelocation.

The system may be additionally provided with video cameras, each ofthose turned towards one of the positions of the modules, for recordingthe performance of each exercise by the exerciser, allowing the latterto visualize his or her performance by way of a playback at theterminal, in order to allow the correction of eventual errors whilestill within the module. The said playback may further be run on demandof the exerciser, from any terminal connected to a communication networksuch as, for example, the Internet. The said cameras may also be usedfor recognizing the face of the exerciser, in which case the system willbe provided with specific software for that purpose. In that case theidentification is automatic, obviating the use of a password, a name, analias or RFID means.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that exemplifies the system, comprising acentral computer 21 for general control purposes, associated with aterminal 22 and a memory means 24, and controlled by at least onesupervisor 23 who supervises the use of the system, including theoccupation of the modules and the performance of the exercises. Thesystem additionally comprises, at the entry point of the circuit, aterminal 17 provided for interaction with the exerciser 18, that may becomplemented by a camera 19 associated with specific facerecognition/matching software. In the exemplary embodiment illustratedin that figure, the various apparatuses 25, 27, 29 are provided withusage sensors (not shown), connected by data transmission links to thecentral computer, which is thereby updated in real time as to thecondition (in use, available) of each apparatus. However, the use ofsuch sensors and the respective transmission links is optional, sincethe monitoring of the condition of the apparatus may be performed by thesaid supervisor 23, who will input the corresponding data to the systemvia the terminal 22. Furthermore, the at least one supervisor may beprovided with a portable terminal (not shown) for data input andeventual two-way interaction with the central control computer, in whichcase the communication between the latter and the said terminal isprovided by means known in the art such as, for example, a two-way radiofrequency link, a Bluetooth system, or equivalent means.

One alternative form of controlling the access to the system is by meansof a turnstile provided with identification means, operating by facerecognition, RFID, bar code readout from a tag, etc.

A camera 26, 28, 31 is associated to each apparatus or position, for thepurpose of filming the performance of the exercise by the exerciser,allowing playback and eventual correction of performance of thatexercise. The said playback is displayed at the terminals 16, 16′associated to the various modules, such terminals being provided withtouch-screen type display means that enable the exerciser to interactwith the system. This interaction comprises the request of playback ofthe exercise having been performed, by means of identification of therequesting party, as well as the input of identification data at thetime of entry into the circuit or on leaving the circuit, allowingreal-time updating of the system occupation database.

As described, the sequence of entry, permanence and flow of exercisersin the system is based on a computerized central control means 21,provided with the following input interfaces:

-   -   individual activity sensors (not shown), that are optionally        installed in each apparatus and remain in permanent        communication with the central control means 21;    -   an interactive terminal 17 operated by the exerciser 18, through        which the exerciser selects a position from those shown to be        available in the system and identifies himself or herself by        informing his or her name, alias, nickname or individual        identification code. The said operation may be performed by        means of a touch screen device or any other information input        means. The information on availability of the positions is        provided by the central control computer 21 and displayed on the        screen of the terminal 17;    -   a video camera 19 for face recognition may be associated to the        above cited terminal. In this case, there may be dispensed the        identification of the exerciser by name, alias, etc., since the        system will associate, in real time, the identity of the        exerciser—determined by the said recognition software—with the        selection of an available position made by the exerciser;    -   each module may be provided with a camera 26, 28, 31 for        capturing the dynamic images (“film”) of the exerciser during        the performance of one or more exercises, these images being        stored in a memory means. The playback of this film on the        screen of the terminal 16, 16′ may be requested by the exerciser        by means of identification thereof at the said terminal, for        example by touching the said screen. The said camera may be        associated with a face recognition software application,        allowing the association of a certain film with a certain        exerciser, restricting the playback for availability only to the        performer himself or herself;    -   the said terminal has a further function of allowing the        exerciser to inform his or her exit from the circuit at any one        of the modules, thereby enabling the system to be updated in        real time;    -   if the exerciser leaves the circuit without informing the fact,        the supervisor 23, who monitors the performance of the exercises        at each module, will input the corresponding information into        the system by means of the terminal 22.

In lieu of the need to consult the general entrance terminal 17 to checkwhich positions are available, the same may be indicated on a largedisplay screen that is permanently updated in real time. In this case,the exerciser, upon choosing one of such positions, enters his or heridentification data using the touch screen of terminal 16, 16′ installedin the module that contains the selected position for his or her entryinto the circuit. It should be noted that the ingress into the circuitis not mandatorily made at module 1, and the exerciser may enter thecircuit at any intermediate module that has an available position.Advantageously, the monitor 16, 16′ may display to the exerciser theexercises that the latter is supposed to perform within the module, aswell as the conditions attendant to such exercises, the weight to beused, etc., based on the individual information stored in the memory 24of the system.

The system may be provided with software intended to adapt the exerciseconditions to the individual characteristics of the exercisers. Thus,for example, the conditions indicated in the monitor of terminals 16,16′ may be modified in accordance with the evolution of the physicalconditions of the exerciser, with an increase in the number ofrepetitions, gradual increase of the weights used, and so forth.Furthermore, the modifications may be adjusted in accordance with theinterval between sessions: for example, in the case of an exerciser thatwas absent for a period of several weeks, the terminal might indicatethe use of lighter weights comparatively to those used in the lastsession, thereby avoiding the possibility of musculoskeletal lesions. Ina variant of the proposed system, the exerciser may use a device formeasuring the heart rate, for example, such device being in permanentcommunication with the central control computer (by means of a two-wayRF link, Bluetooth, etc). The said software will monitor the said heartrate, allowing to adapt the exercise conditions—based on the exerciser'sspecific data stored in the mass memory means—and may further trigger analarm if the said heart rate exceeds a certain threshold (according tothe exerciser's age, for example).

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specificform of embodiment, it should be understood that modifications might bemade thereto by technicians skilled in the art, within the conceptualboundaries of the invention. Thus, for example, a format other thanrectangular may be adopted for some or all of the modules, for example,arranging the same to form groups of five or six triangles, and themodules may be further arranged to form a circle without contacting oneanother. Furthermore, the columns or totem poles may be provided withelements for fastening of accessories by the exercisers, such as, forexample, hooks or rings for temporary installation of elastic resistancebands or similar gym accessories.

The invention is therefore delimited and defined by the set of claimsthat follows hereafter.

1. A structured space for the practice of physical conditioning orfitness exercises, comprising: a plurality of successive modules, atleast one of the said modules comprising at least two exercisepositions.
 2. A structured space, as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a time counter shared in common by all the modules.
 3. Astructured space, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the counter operatesbased on a plurality of periods of equal duration.
 4. A structuredspace, as claimed in claim 3, wherein each period is subdivided inphases.
 5. A structured space, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the phaseshave equal durations.
 6. A structured space, as claimed in claim 4,wherein each phase corresponds to the occupation of a position withineach module.
 7. A structured space, as claimed in claim 2, wherein acount comprises a calculation of a time interval elapsed from abeginning of each exercise, such time interval being indicated by atleast one of a visual display means and audible means.
 8. A structuredspace, as claimed in claim 2, wherein a count comprises a calculation ofa time interval remaining until conclusion of each period, such timeinterval being indicated by at least one of a visual display means andaudible means.
 9. A structured space, as claimed in claim 4, wherein acount comprises a calculation of a time interval elapsed from abeginning of each phase, the time interval being indicated by at leastone of a visual display means and audible means.
 10. A structured space,as claimed in claim 4, wherein a count comprises a calculation of aninterval of time remaining until conclusion of each phase, such timeinterval being indicated by at least one of a visual display means andaudible means.
 11. A structured space, as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a central control computer associated with at least oneterminal and a mass memory means.
 12. A structured space, as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the modules are arranged as a set forming a closedcircuit.
 13. A structured space, as claimed in claim 1, wherein themodules are provided in a form of a set comprising two groups, eachgroup being provided with means for interaction between the users of themodules and a central control computer.
 14. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are provided in a form of a setcomprising one sole group, the set being provided with means forinteraction between the users of the modules and a central controlcomputer.
 15. A structured space, as claimed in claim 13, wherein themeans for interaction comprise terminals provided with a data andcommand input device.
 16. A structured space, as claimed in claim 14,wherein the means for interaction comprise terminals provided with adata and command input device.
 17. A structured space, as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the device for inputting data and commands is providedby a touch-screen type display means.
 18. A structured space, as claimedin claim 16, wherein the device for inputting data and commands isprovided by a touch-screen type display means.
 19. A structured space,as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for interaction comprise videocameras connected to the central control computer, each camera focusinga respective position within a module.
 20. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the means for interaction comprise videocameras connected to the central control computer, each camera focusinga respective position within a module.
 21. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 19, wherein films recorded by the video cameras arestored in the mass memory means associated with the central controlcomputer.
 22. A structured space, as claimed in claim 20, wherein filmsrecorded by the video cameras are stored in the mass memory meansassociated with the central control computer.
 23. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 21, wherein images comprised in the films recorded bythe video cameras are subjected to a treatment by a face recognitionsoftware application.
 24. A structured space, as claimed in claim 22,wherein images comprised in the films recorded by the video cameras aresubjected to a treatment by a face recognition software application. 25.A structured space, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the films stored inthe mass memory means are correlated with the respective individualusers.
 26. A structured space, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the filmsstored in the mass memory means are correlated with the respectiveindividual users.
 27. A structured space, as claimed in claim 21,wherein the films are played back on the screens of the terminals.
 28. Astructured space, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the films are playedback on the screens of the terminals.
 29. A structured space, as claimedin claim 27, wherein the films are played back on the screens of theterminals upon conclusion of each phase.
 30. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 28, wherein the films are played back on the screens ofthe terminals upon conclusion of each phase.
 31. A structured space, asclaimed in claim 25, wherein the films are played back by means of aterminal connected with a communication network, on demand of therespective individual users.
 32. A structured space, as claimed in claim26, wherein the films are played back by means of a terminal connectedwith a communication network, on demand of the respective individualusers.
 33. A structured space, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the meansfor interaction are installed on a supporting means in the form of acolumn or totem pole that is accessible from all the modules of thegroup.
 34. A structured space, as claimed in claim 33, wherein thecolumn is additionally provided with fastening elements for exerciseaccessories.
 35. A method of fitness training practice management,within a structured space as defined in claim 1, comprising displacementof the user through a plurality of successive modules, following asequence of exercises and times of permanence that are previouslyestablished.
 36. A method, as claimed in claim 35, further comprisingcounting of time according to periods of equal duration, each of theperiods comprising a plurality (n) of phases of equal duration.
 37. Amethod, as claimed in claim 36, wherein each phase corresponds to theoccupation of a position within each module.
 38. A method, as claimed inclaim 37, wherein a user alternates his or her position within themodule in successive phases.
 39. A method, as claimed in claim 37,wherein a user repeats a given position at least twice within a modulein successive phases.
 40. A method, as claimed in claim 36, wherein theperiod comprises n-1 phases of performance of exercises and one phase ofrecovery and instruction.
 41. A method, as claimed in claim 37, furthercomprising updating in real time of the positions that are available andthose that are occupied in the various modules of the system.
 42. Amethod, as claimed in claim 35, further comprising monitoring ofperformance of the exercises by at least one supervisor.
 43. A method,as claimed in claim 41, wherein the update is based on input ofidentification data by a user or by a supervisor.
 44. A method, asclaimed in claim 43, wherein the input of data by the users is providedby way of terminals associated with the respective modules of thesystem.
 45. A method, as claimed in claim 43, wherein the supervisoruses a portable terminal for the data input, the portable terminal beingin communication with the central computer.
 46. A method, as claimed inclaim 41, wherein the information relative to available and occupiedpositions in the various modules is visually made available to the usersby way of one or more system access terminals.
 47. A method, as claimedin claim 35, further comprising acquisition and recording of images of auser at each module.
 48. A method, as claimed in claim 47, wherein theimages are associated with a biometric recognition software application.49. A method, as claimed in claim 48, wherein the user can only accessthe recording of the images of his or her series of exercises if thebiometric recognition process is successful.
 50. A method, as claimed inclaim 49, wherein the recorded images may be accessed locally orremotely.